Preliminary results of magnetic resonance imaging-aided high-dose-rate interstitial brachytherapy for recurrent uterine carcinoma after curative surgery

This report presents initial experience with imaging-aided high-dose-rate interstitial brachytherapy (HDR-ISBT) for post-operative recurrence of uterine carcinoma. Fourteen patients presenting with post-operative recurrence of uterine carcinoma (nine cervix and five corpus) between July 2005 and October 2008 were enrolled in this study (median follow-up: 37 months, range: 6-59 months). We implanted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-compatible plastic applicators using our own ambulatory technique. HDR-ISBT treatment consisted of twice-a-day irradiation of 6 Gy each with at least a six-hour interval to provide the total prescribed dose. Treatment was based on treatment planning-computed tomography with MRI as a reference. Seven patients were treated with a combination of ISBT (median 30 Gy/5 fractions; range: 27-33 Gy) and external beam radiation therapy (EBRT), and the other seven with brachytherapy only (median 54 Gy/9 fractions; range: 48-54 Gy), one of whom had previously received pelvic EBRT. The three-year estimates of local control and overall survival rates were 77.9% (95% confidence interval (CI): 55.8-100%) and 77.1% (95% CI: 54.2-100%), respectively. Two patients, who had received combined treatment with EBRT showed untoward reactions, including a grade 3 subileus and grade 2 constipation. Another patient, who had been treated with ISBT alone, developed grade 2 urinary constriction. Our imaging-aided HDR-ISBT for post-operative recurrence of uterine carcinoma was found to be practical with promising preliminary results.